September 1, 2024
Hello Sycamore Springs Middle School Families,
What an amazing week we just had. We kicked off football with a scrimmage against DSMS and volleyball had their first game of the season against DSMS. We also had our first Club Friday! The students were so excited to spend Tiger Win having fun and making new friends!
I hope you are able to spend time with friends and family over the three-day weekend! Please remember that tomorrow is a Student/Staff Holiday. We will see everyone back in the building on Tuesday, September 3.
Below are several reminders for the upcoming weeks. If you need anything or have any questions, please reach out to your student's teacher, counselor, or administrator.
Go Tigers!
Sincerely,
Kelly Miller
Principal
1. This Monday, September 2, is a student and staff Holiday. All schools and district office will be closed. We hope you enjoy the three-day weekend!
2. School Picture Day is Sept 3 & 4 - Fall pictures are on September 3rd and 4th through your student's social studies class. Photo Texas packets were passed out last week to all students this week. If your student needs a new one they can pick up a packet in the front office. For online orders, go to www.phototexasphotography.com and search for Sycamore Springs Middle School.
3. Parents of 6th and 7th graders - If you would like your child to check out from our YA (Young Adult) section please sign the form provided below. If you wish for your child's library account to remain without YA permissions there is no need to do anything. This form is optional and intended for those wanting to opt-in. We have provided a document with YA information you might find helpful.
**For our returning 7th graders who already have YA permissions, there is no need to fill out the form again.
4. Yearbooks are now on Sale! Order your yearbook before 9/13 to score the best deal of the year! 4 free icons and the lowest price you can get! Click HERE to order your yearbook.
5. UIL and Grades - Students participating in UIL (University Interscholastic League) competitive activities must be eligible to participate in those activities. Grade reporting and eligibility check deadlines are the same across DSISD and are approved by the UIL itself. Please click HERE to see the UIL Eligibility Calendar. It is also linked below at the bottom of the newsletter. The first UIL Eligibility grade check is at Interim IB which is on September 20.
6. Student Leadership Opportunities - There are multiple ways for students to get involved at SSMS. We have our Student Council, our Tiger Leaders Lighthouse Team, our Principal's Student Advisory Committee, and our Bulletin Board Bunch group.
- Student Council - Do you want to make a difference on campus? Are you interested in growing your leadership skills? Consider joining the student council. Our first informational meeting will be next Wednesday, September4th during Tiger Win in Portable 10.
- Principal's Student Advisory Committee - Are you interested in giving feedback and having input in what is happening at SSMS? Do you have ideas on how to improve our School? If so, you should apply to be on the Principal's Student Advisory Committee. Click HERE to apply. We will meet once a month with Principal Miller during Tiger Win.
- Bulletin Board Bunch - Are you creative? Do you want our halls to look amazing? Do you like to celebrate student accomplishments? Do you need service hours? The Bulletin Board Bunch is looking for volunteers. Click here to sign up!
7. All students should now have their Student ID. If you student hasn't received their ID yet, please have them report to the main office first thing Monday morning so they can either pick up their ID or get a temporary ID sticker. If you need to purchase a replacement ID, please click HERE. Replacements are $5.
School Picture Day is Sept 3 & 4
Fall pictures are on September 3rd and 4th through your student's social studies class. Photo Texas packets were passed out last week to all students this week. If your student needs a new one they can pick up a packet in the front office. For online orders, go to www.phototexasphotography.com and search for Sycamore Springs Middle School.
Buy your Yearbook Today!
Yearbooks are now on Sale! Order your yearbook today and score great deals. The sale price ends on September 13! Click HERE to order your yearbook.
Principal's Student Advisory Committee
Bulletin Board Bunch
Are you creative? Do you want our halls to look amazing? Do you like to celebrate student accomplishments? Do you need service hours? The Bulletin Board Bunch is looking for volunteers. Click here to sign up!
UIL and Grades
Students participating in UIL (University Interscholastic League) competitive activities must be eligible to participate in those activities. Grade reporting and eligibility check deadlines are the same across DSISD and are approved by the UIL itself. Please click HERE to see the UIL Eligibility Calendar. It is also linked below at the bottom of the newsletter. The first UIL Eligibility grade check is at Interim IB which is on September 20.
Your students’ coach, advisor or activity sponsor can answer any questions you may have about how grades are checked for that specific activity. How can you help as a parent? Help your student stay accountable with their executive functioning skills, planning, calendarizing, and management of their assignments. Perhaps set calendar reminders for your student two weeks before eligibility checks, to give them enough time to make up any work missed during absences, etc.
🏃♀️ Cross Country 🏃♂️
SSMS XC Runners of the Week
SSMS XC is excited to recognize our Runners of the Week for August 14th to August 23rd. Our team was excited to celebrate the following runners:
Josh Kennedy: He brings experience and a quiet presence to our trails, but is loud and proud in his focus, commitment, attention to detail and effort. His leadership on the trails is appreciated.
Juliana Meyer: She shines as an example of someone who uses obstacles as motivation and leaves it all on the trail each time she runs. We know her above and beyond spirit is going to help her achieve whatever she dreams.
Caleb Ray: His heart for running is evident and contagious. The joy that he brings to our team and the trails inspires each of us to push ourselves further and faster.
Lily Steiner: She exemplifies our team philosophy by always running her own race. She is focused on finding her pace, measuring her gains and modeling her "can do" spirit to inspire others.
Congratulations!
Coach McGilvray
SSMS PTA Updates:
The SSMS PTA is excited to open the call for volunteers for two departments that greatly help and influence our staff and students!
The first way to help is to join our Workroom Helpers - this consists of making copies and laminating - which frees up so much time for our teachers to engage with their students. You can sign up for as many or as little days as you'd like! Please sign up here to make a difference: Workroom Helpers Have questions? Email volunteers@ssmspta.org.
The second way is to join our Hospitality Committee and help us show our staff how much they're appreciated! If you have a knack for party planning, rocking a luncheon, making lists, decorating, shopping, or helping us make community connections, please come join us! This can also be at your leisure, either in person or behind the scenes, whichever you are most comfortable with. Seeing these teachers and staff members smile from ear to ear is such an experience that is so rewarding! Email volunteers@ssmspta.org to get more information! This year is going to be SO much fun!!!
- We welcome you to join SSMS PTA! While we would LOVE to have you at meetings and help out, membership does not REQUIRE you to do ANYTHING. Your $10.50 membership dues help to keep the PTA running, provides grants (available to students & staff), provides lunches for teachers occasionally, and helps to fund campus improvements! By getting involved at your child’s school you can help make positive changes. Local PTAs play an important role in fundraising to provide building improvements, curriculum-based programs, student and staff grants, and social events. PTA functions are opportunities to meet other parents and teachers, to build rapport and discuss issues that are on your mind. You can share ideas, concerns, and experiences to make the school year better for everyone. Scan the QR code or go to joinpta.org to join.
